Longlevens junction to be closed to traffic

A busy junction in Longlevens is to be closed to traffic for several months.

From August 2 until March 13 2019 traffic will not be able to turn into Oxstalls Lane from Cheltenham Road.

This is to allow the completion of highways works which began earlier this year as part of the University of Gloucestershire Oxstalls campus redevelopment.

The junction will still be open to pedestrians in order to access Cheltenham Road.

A diversion will be established to allow cars to access Oxstalls Lane via Church Road.

A notice from the developer says: "As part of our works we have to form a new junction layout and divert a large amount of services.

"Unfortunately, after consulting with the various service providers and reviewing the scope of works, it has been determined that the least disruptive and quickest way to get these works completed will be to close the junction on Cheltenham Road and Oxstalls Lane up to the entrance to the University of Gloucestershire's Oxstalls campus.

"Cheltenham Road will remain open for the vast majority of the works.

"If the Oxstalls Lane junction were to be left open, we would need three-way controlled traffic lights, which would cause significant delays to both Cheltenham Road and Oxstalls Lane.

"Together with Gloucestershire Highways, we want to ensure the main arterial flow of traffic to and from Gloucester is not delayed, especially along Estcourt Road.

"Closing the junction to traffic entering and leaving Oxstalls Lane will significantly reduce the traffic disruption from all directions.

"This will maintain the flow along Cheltenham Road and will avoid long traffic build-ups on Oxstalls Lane.

"Additionally, the junction closure also substantially reduces the risk to pedestrians who currently walk in the road rather than cross to the pavement opposite along the official footpath diversion route."